Pakistan in March 2026: the most important developments in security
Pakistan's security in March 2026 began with protests over the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Protesters stormed the U.S. consulate in Karachi on March 1, and U.S. Marines opened fire, according to U.S. officials. Between nine and more than 20 people were killed, and dozens were injured. Pakistan deployed troops and imposed a curfew, and terrorism cases were registered over the violence. The U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and family members to leave its consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Pakistanis were also killed in the Gulf by falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The conflict with Afghanistan was the second major theme. Afghan forces fired at Pakistani aircraft over Kabul on March 1, and the Taliban launched drone attacks on Pakistani military bases, including Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi. Pakistan's defense minister said operations would continue until militant groups were cleared from the region, and Pakistan's information minister said 527 Afghan Taliban operatives had been killed in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. On March 13 Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Kabul and border provinces, and Afghan authorities said civilians were killed. On March 16 an airstrike hit a facility in Kabul; the Taliban said around 400 people were killed and about 250 wounded and called it a drug rehabilitation center, while Pakistan denied responsibility and said it hit an ammunition storage site. Pakistan and Afghanistan announced a temporary pause for Eid and Ramadan on March 18. Pakistan resumed strikes by March 26, and the two sides traded fire along the border on March 30.
Other security matters drew attention. U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Pakistan's missile capabilities pose a significant threat to the United States, which Islamabad rejected. India reported arrests over alleged espionage for Pakistan. A Chinese naval vessel arrived in Karachi for a bilateral exercise, and a militant group threatened the Pakistan Super League. A gas pipeline was blown up in southern Pakistan.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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